Ruthless Basetsana smash Botswana

The SA Women’s Under-20 National Team (Basetsana) ran riot as they hammered Botswana 8-1 in a 2016 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

A brace each from Anelisa Ndyebi, Thembi Kgatlana and Gabriela Salgado set Basetsana on a famous victory in a match watched by Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Mashaba and his technical team and SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan as well as several other SAFA NEC members.

While Botswana did not provide much resistance, it was nevertheless a polished performance by the South African girls.

Chamelle Wiltshire put Basetsana in the lead on the seventh minute following a corner in the opening minutes. A long ball was played in and the Botswana defence failed to clear and Wiltshire directed the ball past goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija. That was the first international goal for the youngster.

It could have been 2-0 to Basetsana six minutes later but Thembi Kgatlana blasted her effort over the bar and moments later had another chance on 19 minutes following an impressive build-up by the South Africans but once again her rushed effort went over the bar.

Basetsana created several other chances but most went to waste as they put the visitors to sword. Anelisa Ndyebi received a pass from Kgatlana on 20 minutes but she placed her effort wide.

A great individual effort by Salgado saw her fire Basetsana 2-0 on 28 minutes. She collected the ball near the centre-line and raced through the middle channel, shrugging off a few defenders in the process before hammering the ball into the net.

Moments later Salgado played the ball across to Ndyebi on the left and she made no mistake to make the score 3-0.

Basetsana keeper was never really tested but on the odd occasion when Botswana managed to get the ball her way, she was solid. Kefilwe Lentswe fired from range on 38 minutes but Mapaseka Mpuru easily collected.

Kgatlana finally got it right despite the pressure from Gonayamodimo Macha as she drove the ball to put Basetsana 4-0 before the break.

Basetsana started the second half from where they left off as they kept piling the pressure and it was only a matter of time before they rattled the net again.

Ndyebi completed her double when she slotted the ball home to make it 5-0 for the hosts.

That goal appeared to have flung the flood gates wide open. From a free-kick, Linda Motlhalo ghosted into the box unmarked to head past for the sixth of the match.

Refilwe Matlho grabbed the consolation on 55 minutes with a long free kick after spotting Mpuru off her line.

Kgatlana grabbed her second of the match and seventh for the hosts on 59 minutes. She was later replaced by Lorraine Mosili Makhoali on the 75th minute.

Basetsana kept the foot on the pedal in search of more goals. Linda Motlhalo was brought down in the box on 77 minutes and Salgado stepped up to convert from the spot and make it 8-1 for Basetsana with her second of the match.